Well....
Florida was great!!
I was here for a Kiwanis Convention to promote CCS and that part was ok.
But what was great was the fact I got to met up with all my Guatmala Buddies!!!
I got in on the Wednesday and Mariana and Cathy picked me up from the airport, took me to the OCCC and helped me set up.
They then took me out to dinner to Gaylord Palms the food was fantastic as was the sangria and company!!
I was back at the convention on the Thursday from 8 - 3 and then summer flew in that evening.
We had some very nice martinis at the cheesecake factory and caught up some more.
I was back at the convention on the Friday from 8-3 and then had a meeting in the evening.
Sommer, Cathy, Mariana and I then went to downtown Orlando for Dinner, we went to the Monkey bar for a few more martinis and then wandered over to another bar where we literally danced our socks off!
We had sooooo much fun, I was literally laughing so hard all night my jaw hurt!!!
Saturday I was at the convention centre from 8-1.20, packed up, got picked up and whisked off to Universal studios. Went on a couple of rides there and that also was lots of laughs!
Today we went to a Gospel Brunch. This was amazing. The were gospel singers and a women who was signing everything. It was fantastic and all you can eat southern food.
Now I am at the airport and my flight has been delayed by an hour - booo!
But I have had a amazing time and it has been so great to catch all my the people I met in Guatemala!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Photos!
The Group
Nuestra Señora de los Angeles Basilica
Work in Progress!
Irazu Volcano with the Girls
The last day, the kids did a dance and song show for us!
The AMAZING Staff
The final result
Bye Friends :(
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The End is nigh......
So my week in Costa Rica is coming to an end....
As I expected the week has been amazing. The School I have been working is such a fantastic place. The kids that come to the school come from abusive and/or extremely poor backgrounds. The school is their safe place where they come to be educated in the hope that they can build a better life for themselves.
We painted a mural, did recreational activities with kids and just hung out with them.
The teachers at this school care for the children so much and really want to help make a better future for them. It is amazing.
My group were equally as good and as usual on a Cross-Cultural Solutions program I know I have made some life long friends.
I have been to an organic coffee farm, a volcano, had salsa lesson, Spanish lessons, cooking lessons. There has been so much packed into this week.
This week has been exactly what I needed!! Seeing the impact the volunteers have on the partner programs we work with is amazing. Hearing about the changes in the volunteers and how it impacts their lives is equally amazing and makes me extremely proud to work for CCS. It is so hard to forget what we do working in a office and participating in a program refreshes why I chose to move half way across the world to work for them!
I cannot rave about the staff enough. They are FANTASTIC. They are so dedicated and care so much about the volunteers and the partner programs, that it leaves me in awe of them.
We had a meeting this afternoon, where the got all the staff together, we had coffee and ice cream and they made me feel so special!! When it is them that do all the hard work!!
So now I am sitting in Jose's apartment (listening to Dancing Queen by Abba!!!) getting ready to go out in San Jose, hoping that tomorrow doesn't really come. I am hoping that when Santi (the Program Coordinator) said the office called and said I was to work form Costa Rica and move in with him that is was true.
It has been a wonderful week and of course I am sad that it has to end but I must get back to reality!
Pura Vida!!!
Photos later.. many photos later....
As I expected the week has been amazing. The School I have been working is such a fantastic place. The kids that come to the school come from abusive and/or extremely poor backgrounds. The school is their safe place where they come to be educated in the hope that they can build a better life for themselves.
We painted a mural, did recreational activities with kids and just hung out with them.
The teachers at this school care for the children so much and really want to help make a better future for them. It is amazing.
My group were equally as good and as usual on a Cross-Cultural Solutions program I know I have made some life long friends.
I have been to an organic coffee farm, a volcano, had salsa lesson, Spanish lessons, cooking lessons. There has been so much packed into this week.
This week has been exactly what I needed!! Seeing the impact the volunteers have on the partner programs we work with is amazing. Hearing about the changes in the volunteers and how it impacts their lives is equally amazing and makes me extremely proud to work for CCS. It is so hard to forget what we do working in a office and participating in a program refreshes why I chose to move half way across the world to work for them!
I cannot rave about the staff enough. They are FANTASTIC. They are so dedicated and care so much about the volunteers and the partner programs, that it leaves me in awe of them.
We had a meeting this afternoon, where the got all the staff together, we had coffee and ice cream and they made me feel so special!! When it is them that do all the hard work!!
So now I am sitting in Jose's apartment (listening to Dancing Queen by Abba!!!) getting ready to go out in San Jose, hoping that tomorrow doesn't really come. I am hoping that when Santi (the Program Coordinator) said the office called and said I was to work form Costa Rica and move in with him that is was true.
It has been a wonderful week and of course I am sad that it has to end but I must get back to reality!
Pura Vida!!!
Photos later.. many photos later....
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
COSTA RICA
So I am in Costa Rica!!
I made it into San Jose on Saturday, I got picked up and taken to my super hostel!
I then went for a wander around town and got caught in the rain!!
They are having the cow parade here at the moment so there were all kinds of cows. Pole dancing cows, taxi cows, ALL KINDS!!
I then got completely lost and it took me to hours to find my way back to the hostel!
I had forgotten how empowering it was to travel and this was the first time for ages that I had travelled by myself. I love the fact I can just wander round and take in the sights. It was great to have some me time and do what I wanted to do. With no work, and no one else interfering.
Ok So I don’t know the language and don't really know where I am going but it’s all fine and the survival instinct kicks in and everything’s ok!
San Jose
The Kids at my placement
We have done all kinds of exciting things, but I have better things to do than spend time on the Internet. So will update either later or when I get home.
Off to Salsa lessons!!
I made it into San Jose on Saturday, I got picked up and taken to my super hostel!
I then went for a wander around town and got caught in the rain!!
They are having the cow parade here at the moment so there were all kinds of cows. Pole dancing cows, taxi cows, ALL KINDS!!
I then got completely lost and it took me to hours to find my way back to the hostel!
I had forgotten how empowering it was to travel and this was the first time for ages that I had travelled by myself. I love the fact I can just wander round and take in the sights. It was great to have some me time and do what I wanted to do. With no work, and no one else interfering.
Ok So I don’t know the language and don't really know where I am going but it’s all fine and the survival instinct kicks in and everything’s ok!
San Jose
The Kids at my placement
We have done all kinds of exciting things, but I have better things to do than spend time on the Internet. So will update either later or when I get home.
Off to Salsa lessons!!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
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